Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

What would it be like if you could not walk, talk, or write? What if you had so many ideas and words you wanted to express but could not communicate with other people? In Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, Melody is an 11 year old girl who wants to have the same experiences as other people. She wants to be a part of the things her classmates are doing. She is very smart, but she is also in a wheelchair and can't walk, talk, or write. She figures out a way to communicate with her class and the other people around her, and enters a competition for her school. Will her team win? Will she get to make friends with her classmates? Read this book and find out!

Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Services Assistant

The Shadows: The Books of Elsewhere vol. 1 by Jacqueline West

In The Shadows by Jacqueline West, Olive’s family just moved into an odd old house where there is something just not right about the paintings on the walls.  Olive discovers that she can climb into the worlds inside the paintings and uncovers the sinister story behind how the paintings, and the house, came to be.  She also finds out that she and her family are in terrible danger!  This slightly creepy story is an exciting and fast moving mystery thriller that fans of Coraline will love.

Book reviewed by Brad J., Youth Technology Librarian

 

 

The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon

I listened to the audiobook of The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon and really enjoyed it. The story takes place in Chicago in the 1960’s. Thirteen-year-old Sam’s father is very involved in the Civil Rights Movement; the family has even had Dr. King over for dinner! Sam’s older brother and best friend, “Stick,” gets involved with the Black Panthers, a group that seems at odds with the non-violent protests that Stick and Sam have grown up with. After the assassination of Dr. King, things around the city start to heat up, and Sam gets more involved.

Book reviewed by Erin E. Youth Services Programming Coordinator

Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor

Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor. It's so odd--really! For no good reason that Raine can figure out, her mom decides all of a sudden the two of them have to leave their home in Milwaukee and move to creepy old Sparrow Road, an artist retreat out in the middle of nowhere. Turns out, there are secrets everywhere in and around Sparrow Road, and Raine makes some very personal discoveries about friendship, family, forgiveness and love.  If you like stories that tug at your heart a bit, you'll like this one. 

Book reviewed by Mary Ann S., Assistant Head of Youth Services

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. Alex and Aaron, identical twins, have spent all of their 13 years together in the land of Quill, but that was ending today. Quillerans are expected to conform unquestioningly to all the rules; all creativity and independence are totally not tolerated. Not “tolerated”? At 13 years of age, every child is labeled as “Wanted” (destined for higher education and a possible future leadership position), “Necessary” (deemed needed for less important positions, a worker), or “Unwanted” (not considered worthy to even live and so is condemned to death). Aaron has always met the community’s expectations and is announced as one of the celebrated Wanteds. But Alex, who has been caught drawing a few times, is consigned to go to the Death Farm and the Lake of Burning Oil. What horrors await Alex as he approaches the heavy iron gates of the Death Farm? And how will Aaron manage without him?

Book reviewed by Loreen S., Youth Services Assistant

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Eleven-year-old Hazel and Jack live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  They have been best friends since they were six years old.  Suddenly one day Jack stops speaking to Hazel, and the next day he disappears.  His parents say he has gone to live with his elderly Aunt Bernice, but Hazel doesn't believe them.  Why would Jack change overnight? And why hasn't she ever heard of this aunt?  It turns out that fairytales can come true.  There is an enchanted woods in their neighborhood, and Jack has been taken by the Snow Queen.  Now Hazel must go on a perilous quest.  Will she reach Jack in time?  If you love fairytales and the Narnia series, you are sure to enjoy Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. 

 

Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

Thriller (Guys Read series v. 2) edited by Jon Scieszka

Want to read about a wish-granting machine, ghosts, the world’s worst private detective, or a pudding that grants superpowers? Check out Thriller, a collection of short stories from the Guys Read series, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Services Assistant

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron R. Hawkins

In The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron R. Hawkins, Jackson is only 14 years old when he makes an unusual deal with the neighbor lady next door.  She owns an orchard with 300 apple trees, but since her husband died a few years ago, no one has taken care of it.  If Jackson could get the orchard to produce apples again and make over $8,000, he could “maybe” become the owner.  He has no idea how to grow apples or how much money the apples would make if he did get to sell them.  He talks his cousins into helping him, and it is amazing what they go through to get the trees to produce apples.  After all their hard work, will he really get to keep the orchard, or was he being tricked by the neighbor lady and her son? 

Book reviewed by Mary Lou H., Youth Services Assistant

Everything On It by Shel Silverstein

If you like Shel Silverstein (and who doesn’t!?!), you’ll love his new collection of poems called Every Thing On It. Though the author is no longer alive, members of his family were able to put together some of his work that had not yet been published. The poems and drawings are as hilarious and strange as his others. In the title poem, a boy imagines a hot dog with literally "everything on it." The author seems to have an affinity for pelicans because there are quite a few poems about them.

Book reviewed by Erin E. Youth Services Programming Coordinator

Emily’s Fortune by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Try Emily’s Fortune by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for a rootin’ tootin’ good read.  Follow Emily’s adventure after she is suddenly orphaned and has to head out west to live with her aunt.  Along the way Emily has to outsmart Child Catching Services and hide from a greedy Uncle who is after her fortune. But how in tumblin’ tarnation could she do that? Well, with the help of fellow orphan Jackson that’s how. So hold on to your hat for a wild ride through the wild west filled with crazy cliffhangers and exciting illustrations.  Recommended for cowboys and girls looking for a fast fun read.

Book reviewed by Keary B., Youth Collection Specialist